MACIAS REPEATS HIS VICTORY AT CARLSBAD

After bypassing half marathon, he wins marathon again

CARLSBAD 
After winning the Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon a year ago, Mario Macias intended to run the half marathon at this year’s event. Then two weeks ahead of the race, he came down with a cold that was tough to shake.

Instead of bowing out of the competition, though, Macias switched back to the marathon and ended up first again. And this time with a three-minute improvement that also meant a bigger payday at the 22nd annual event on Sunday.

“I wasn’t 100 percent for the half, so I figured I’d do the full because of my training,” said Macias, 31, of Manitou Springs, Colo. “The cool temperature was perfect, I had the wind at my back for the way back, and even the runners from the half (from a later start) were cheering me.”

The repeat title for Macias came on a day otherwise highlighted by winning debuts for Big Bear Lakes’ Lauren Kleppin in the women’s marathon (2:42:17) and Kenya’s Stephen Sambu in the men’s half marathon (1:03:02). Also, Olympic men’s marathoner Guor Marial placed fifth (1:04:21) in his first half marathon.

The women’s half went to Ethiopia’s Belianesh Gebre (1:12:10), a two-time champion in the America Finest City Half Marathon (2009-10).

Macias finished just under the 2:20 milestone to trigger a third bonus on the day for a $3,000 prize, followed by Chris Siemers, of Arvada, Colo. (2:23:51).

Kleppin won by nearly 10 minutes ahead of San Diego’s Celestine Arambulo (2:52:15), only to discover her feet were bloodied when she removed her shoes.

“I didn’t feel it, but I might be rough later,” said Kleppin, 24, a native of Milwaukee, Wis. “It just rubbed on the top. They’re brand-new shoes, so that’s my fault. It’s a rookie mistake.”

A recent move to California helped prompt Kleppin to run a marathon. She placed third in the Los Angeles Rock ’N’ Roll Half (1:15:49) in October.

“Everyone said, ‘You’re a marathon runner, you’re marathon runner,’ ” noted Kleppin, who won $3,000. “So there was a time when I just needed to try it.”

Sambu opted to try the half as part of a plan to run full marathons in two years. He finished a minute ahead of Zambia’s Jordan Chipangama (1:04:08) for $2,500.

“I was a little slow for the first seven miles, but I felt strong at the end,” said Sambu, 24, a former All-America distance runner at the University of Arizona. “It’s just good to win and get this start to my training.”

Marial, a Sudanese refugee, ran his first half after gaining global attention at last year’s London Games when he competed under the Olympic flag instead of representing his old country. He said that his U.S. citizenship might be approved before the Boston Marathon on April 15.

“It was a good performance, and while I’m not there yet speed-wise, everything was great,” said Marial, 28, who placed 47th in the Olympic marathon (2:19:32). “The fans were awesome throughout the course, and it was just amazing.”